★★★★

“a clever and entertaining evening”

Rachel Parris hits a lot of classic millennial comedy topics: home ownership, tackling anxiety, the pressures of female perfection. But she does so with a slick confidence, and a consistency which makes her stand up shine.

Her freshest, sharpest jokes are in her patches of satire, as fans of The Mash Report will attest. In Poise she combines topical comedy (maybe national service could be utilised to tackle the childcare crisis) with some bits which are obviously older, her last tour was five years ago. Songs about Liz Truss and the queues at Dover are less topical now, but are still funny, and bring a warm nostalgia to the show.

Her particular brand of comic feminist song brought her prevalence on podcasts like The Guilty Feminist and these work well live, weaved into the whole show. She sits at the piano, belting out memorable songs like ‘What do Women Want?’ (Parris suggests it’s gloves…) and her take on the iconography of the Bond girl, which is a showstopping end to the night.

It’s not only politics though. Parris lays her trepidation about turning 40 bare – admitting her life is in a far better place than on her last tour. She is used to putting her personal life on display, she’s married to fellow comic Marcus Brigstocke, with whom she has a podcast ‘How Was it For You?’ But this show is carefully crafted, allowing the audience windows into her life, without ever going too deep, or baring too much.

Some parts are stronger than others, an a cappella folk number about the wisdom she’s gained with age is a weird note towards the end, though ties the themes together neatly.

There could be more of an overarching story across the show, but as a series of bits, broken up by comic songs which showcase her impressive vocal skills, this makes for a clever and entertaining evening.

A PISSEDMAS CAROL at Leicester Square Theatre

★★★★★

“a rollicking good time”

There’s nothing better to get you in the Christmas mood than a smashed Ebenezer Scrooge slurring his way through some festive pop songs while ranting about free range chicken eggs.

‘A Pissedmas Carol’ is a retelling of A Christmas Carol, stuffed full of songs, improv and panto style gags. On top of that, each night one of the actors is riotously drunk. Cue hilarious and chaotic fun, in a very merry way. There are even mince pies at the bar!

This show is a rollicking good time. Rather than its non-holiday themed Shakespearean counterparts, this production allows more space for all of the actors to have a laugh. The energy doesn’t drop when the drunk actor is off stage, because there’s scripted and improvised silliness to be had by all.

James Murfitt and Lewis Ironside’s adaptation of the Dickens classic keeps some of the original text, some iconic lines (possibly more if all of the actors were sober) but injects some ridiculous fun into it. The key moments are there, but the play never stops for long enough to get too bogged down in the plot or characters. Katy Baker’s directing, as well as strong improvising from the cast, keep the energy soaring throughout.

There are a cast of eight, with ten in the troupe, so the rotating roles, and rotating drunkenness, can be shared around. The whole cast were really strong, all having their own moments to shine. Hal Hillman and Katy Baker are charming and hilarious as the Cratchits, James Murfitt is an excellent MC, Daniel Quirke is a bit of a scene stealer as the Ghost of Christmas present, and Izzy Wroe Wright proves to have an incredible set of pipes as she belts out some classic Christmas bops. John Mitton as Scrooge was hilarious, and very drunk.

Having Charlotte Brooke as an on-stage pianist brings the whole performance together, making it feel like a cohesive musical, and I think is a big reason the energy stays so high. Nicola Jones’ set is playful and crucially safe for drunk actors. Jess Davies’ lighting also plays with the gothic drama, but in a camp, fun way.

The show is a laugh, and highly worth a visit. It’s short and sweet and it’s great to see that the actors are having as much fun as the audience.

Tag Archives: Leicester Square Theatre

RACHEL PARRIS: POISE

★★★★

UK Tour

RACHEL PARRIS: POISE at Leicester Square Theatre

★★★★

“a clever and entertaining evening”

RACHEL PARRIS: POISE at Leicester Square Theatre

Reviewed on 5th June 2024

by Auriol Reddaway

Photography by Karla Gowlett

Rachel Parris is touring with Poise until 20^th October – click on the image below for tour dates and tickets

Previously reviewed at this venue:

SH!T-FACED SHOWTIME: A PISSEDMAS CAROL | ★★★★★ | November 2023

THE AYES HAVE IT! THE AYES HAVE IT! | ★★★★ | November 2023

SH!T-FACED SHAKESPEARE®: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING | ★★★★★ | July 2023

SHIT-FACED SHAKESPEARE: ROMEO & JULIET | ★★★★ | July 2022

A PISSEDMAS CAROL | ★★★★★ | December 2021

SH!T-FACED MACBETH | ★★★★★ | July 2021

RACHEL PARRIS

RACHEL PARRIS

Click here to see our Recommended Shows page

A Pissedmas Carol

★★★★★

Leicester Square Theatre

A PISSEDMAS CAROL at Leicester Square Theatre

★★★★★

“a rollicking good time”